MAHONING COUNTY With blessing, officials dedicate prescription-drug aid program

The program is similar to ones in place in Ashtabula and Trumbull counties.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County's Prescription Drug Assistance Program was dedicated Wednesday at the Ohio Heart Institute, more than a year after it was officially announced.
The dedication also included a blessing by Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and comments from Mahoning County Commissioners David Ludt and Edward J. Reese.
"It's been some time, but we wanted to make sure we got it right," Reese said, referring to the program's timetable. "This program will provide free or discounted pharmaceutical applications to senior citizens."
Program details
The program, similar to ones in place in Ashtabula and Trumbull counties, will provide financial help to senior citizens who have difficulty obtaining prescription drugs. Discounts will be available on long-term prescriptions only, not on short-term medicines such as antibiotics.
People 65 and older account for 17.5 percent of Mahoning County's population. But many are ineligible for Medicaid or cannot afford the proper medication.
Commissioners appropriated $40,000 from sales-tax revenue in January to get the program started. St. Elizabeth Health Center and St. Elizabeth Development Foundation contributed $30,000, and the Catholic Charities Regional Agency donated $10,000.
The Ohio Heart Institute at 1001 Belmont Avenue will be the permanent office of the program, and one of the places seniors will be able to go for help on filing applications for the discounts. Other satellite locations include St. Elizabeth Health Center and the Youngstown Visiting Nurses Association.
A positive outlook
Robert W. Shroder, president and CEO of Humility of Mary Health Partners, concluded the dedication ceremony with a positive outlook on the program's future.
"This is going to provide better health care in the community," Shroder said. "The program is community-oriented. With everyone working together, we can meet this mission."
The program is sponsored by Mahoning County commissioners and the Mahoning County Council on Aging in conjunction with Catholic Charities Regional Agency, Humility of Mary Health Partners, St. Elizabeth Development Foundation, Cboss Community Network, OCCHA, Ohio Heart Institute, Mahoning County Senior Center, Help Hotline, Visiting Nurses Association and several other collaborating agencies.